All Daniel L. Squadron's Contenthttp://www.nysenate.gov/senator/daniel-l-squadron%20/content
enSQUADRON FILES TO FORCE COMMITTEE VOTE ON BILL TO CLOSE "LLC LOOPHOLE"http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/squadron-files-force-committee-vote-bill-close-llc-loophole
<p><strong>LLCs Would No Longer Be "People" in NYS Elections</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;"><strong>Squadron: Unlimited, Anonymous Contributions Pervert the Entire System</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">NEW YORK – State Senator Daniel Squadron has filed a motion to force a committee vote this legislative session to close New York's infamous "LLC Loophole." His bill to enact this ethics reform (S.60), also sponsored by Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, has been stalled in the Republican-led Senate, pushing Squadron to use a procedural rule to force the legislation to be considered this legislative session. This "Motion for Committee Consideration" requires the bill to be considered in the Senate Elections Committee within 45 days.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">The Senate Republicans excluded the LLC loophole measure in their one-house budget resolution, and it was not part of the ethics deals announced on Tuesday by Governor Cuomo and the State Assembly. These developments make it highly unlikely that this key reform will be included in the final budget, despite the provision's inclusion in the Governor's original executive budget, and the ethics packages of the Senate Democrats and the Assembly majority.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">"It was promising that reform was put on the agenda this year -- since Albany really needs it," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “But there's no reform more important than closing the LLC loophole, which allows unlimited sums of anonymous dollars to pervert the entire process, from elections to legislation. That's why this vote is so important if the Governor, the Assembly and the Senate fail to fix this in the budget."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">On Thursday, March 12, Squadron pressed his Republican colleagues about their exclusion of the LLC loophole. State Senator John DeFrancisco responded to Squadron's inquiry on the LLC loophole by stating "I don't think it's a loophole, I think it's a way to raise money in a campaign." Over the course of that debate, DeFrancisco acknowledged an inconsistency in the ways LLCs interact with the state election system relative to partnerships, individuals, and corporations. He ceded that LLCs are currently treated as individuals rather than corporations, that LLCs have a higher contribution limit than corporations, and that there is no reporting requirement to identify the owners of an LLC as there is with partnerships. Despite this, DeFrancisco said "if it's in use by everyone, then it's not a loophole."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">In New York elections, limited-liability companies are currently not treated as corporations, but as people, with the ability to donate up to $60,800 to a statewide candidate per election cycle. LLC ownership is not disclosed under the current system, making it nearly impossible to track down contributions to the source of their funding. Thus, an individual can contribute unlimited sums to the political system through multiple LLCs without transparency or accountability. Of all the money raised by state-level candidates and party committees in New York, 14% is given by LLCs, three times the amount of small-level individual donors. Between 2005 and 2013, LLCs contributed over $40 million to New York State candidates, parties and PACs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">S.60 treats LLCs as corporations -- not individuals -- to close the LLC loophole so that unlimited sums can no longer enter the political system without transparency or accountability. The bill also lowers the contribution limit for corporations (and, if it passes, LLCs) to $1,000 from its current limit of $5,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">Once a Motion for Committee Consideration is filed, the chair of the committee must place the bill on an agenda and schedule a vote on the bill within 45 days. The Motion for Committee Consideration for S.60 was filed on March 4, which is 45 days before April 18.</span></p>
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Campaign FinanceElectionsTue, 17 Mar 2015 04:00:00 +0000Eric Mayo265421 at http://www.nysenate.govASSEMBLYMEMBER KIM, SENATOR SQUADRON, ELECTEDS URGE MAYOR TO ADD LUNAR NEW YEAR AS SCHOOL HOLIDAYhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/assemblymember-kim-senator-squadron-electeds-urge-mayor-add-lunar-new-year-school-holi
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>18 Lawmakers Sign Letter Applauding Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr Holiday, Urge Lunar New Year to be Included</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">Letter Cites Mayor's Pledge and New Law</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1;">Flushing, Queens – Assemblymember Ron Kim and State Senator Daniel Squadron joined colleagues across New York City in urging Mayor de Blasio to add Lunar New Year as a school holiday.&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p>Mayor de Blasio announced last week that New York City public schools have added Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr to the 2015-16 calendar as school holidays. Before his election and after taking office, the Mayor had publicly pledged that he would add Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr as well as Lunar New Year as holidays to the school calendar.</p>
<p><br /> Kim and Squadron spearheaded a letter signed by 18 elected officials applauding the Mayor's decision to add the two Muslim holidays, and asking that Lunar New Year also be included as previously pledged. The New York Times have also chimed in on this issue, stating that "The next new day off should be the Lunar New Year" in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/opinion/holidays-that-reflect-new-yorks-students.html" target="_blank">Saturday's&nbsp;editorial</a>.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>Assemblymember Ron Kim</strong>&nbsp;said, “I join my colleagues at all levels of government to encourage the Mayor to keep his word in recognizing Lunar New Year as an American holiday in our schools. For far too long, Asian American kids, including myself, grew up in this city feeling marginalized and ‘un-American’ for celebrating their culture. It is really amazing that schools will be recognizing these important Muslim holidays so that our Muslim students won’t have to feel the way many of our Asian students do. I hope that the Mayor will also recognize the importance of Lunar New Year to a huge percentage of our students and their families. Acknowledging some cultures but not others, the Mayor is playing a dangerous game by invalidating and further marginalizing ethnic communities. Let’s use this chance to celebrate our diversity, not fuel deeper divides in our city."<br /> <br /> "The Mayor's pledge of a Lunar New Year school holiday is so important to enact for the coming school year," said&nbsp;<strong>State Senator Daniel Squadron</strong>. "Absentee rates are as high as 80% on Lunar New Year in certain schools in my district and across the city. Acting on the Mayor’s pledge is critical so that students no longer have to choose between their most important cultural holiday and missing class, and to acknowledge the city's ongoing change. It’s great news that public schools will be closed on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and it's essential that Lunar New Year have the same result.”<br /> <br /> In addition to Assemblymember Kim and State Senator Squadron, the letter was signed by Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney, Grace Meng (who originally sponsored the legislation when she was a member of the NYS Assembly) and Nydia Velázquez; Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer; State Senators Martin Golden and Toby Ann Stavisky; Assemblymembers Edward Braunstein, Michael DenDekker, Francisco Moya, Dan Quart, Nily Rozic, Sheldon Silver and Michaelle Solages; and City&nbsp;Councilmembers Margaret Chin and Peter Koo.<br /> <br /> Asian-American students comprise approximately 15 percent of all public school students in New York City. Lunar New Year is the most important cultural celebration on the Asian calendar.&nbsp; Currently, students who celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday receive an “excused” absence, meaning they miss a full day of classes and have the absence marked on their record. In 2014, Kim and Squadron passed legislation requiring the city Department of Education (DOE) consider closing schools if a holiday is likely to result in “a considerable proportion” of students being absent.<br /> <br /> Please find the letter attached.</p>
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<div class="filefield-file clear-block"><img class="filefield-icon field-icon-application-pdf" alt="application/pdf icon" src="http://www.nysenate.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/filefield/icons/application-pdf.png" /><a href="http://www.nysenate.gov/files/pdfs/3-9-15 Lunar New Year Letter to Mayor de Blasio.pdf" type="application/pdf" length="207720" target="_blank" title="3-9-15 Lunar New Year Letter to Mayor de Blasio.pdf">Lunar New Year Letter to Mayor de Blasio</a></div> </div>
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Constituents CornerEducationMon, 09 Mar 2015 18:24:46 +0000Eric Mayo262011 at http://www.nysenate.gov SENATOR SQUADRON STATEMENT ON THE 2015-16 DRAFT SCHOOL CALENDAR http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senator-squadron-statement-2015-16-draft-school-calendar
<p>MANHATTAN – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement regarding the 2015-16 draft school calendar:</p>
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<p>"Adding Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to the school calendar is an important recognition of the diversity of our city. It’s great that the Mayor kept his pledge to designate them as school holidays. It’s critical that the Mayor also keep his pledge to designate Lunar New Year as a school holiday. At schools in my district and across the city, absentee rates are as high as 80% on Lunar New Year.&nbsp;Approximately one in six New York City public school students is Asian American, which is why acting on the mayor’s pledge is so important, so that students no longer have to choose between their most important cultural holiday and missing class.”</p>
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<span class="date-display-single">Wed, 03/04/2015</span> </div>
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EducationNew York CityWed, 04 Mar 2015 21:36:48 +0000Eric Mayo261416 at http://www.nysenate.govSQUADRON STATEMENT ON MAYOR DE BLASIO’S CITYWIDE FERRY SERVICE PROPOSALhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/squadron-statement-mayor-de-blasio-s-citywide-ferry-service-proposal
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Squadron: Big Deal for Transit Underserved Waterfront Communities</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">NEW YORK – State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement in response to Mayor de Blasio’s expanded citywide ferry service proposal:</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I applaud Mayor de Blasio's proposal to expand ferry service citywide, including stops at Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn and Grand Street on the Lower East Side, as I urged with colleagues in October.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“For lots of New Yorkers who live in fast growing waterfront communities without enough transit options, new service is very – or ferry! – good news. New service will also provide another option when existing networks are compromised, as happened during Hurricane Sandy. And, it will expand access to our growing Harbor Park,&nbsp;a Central Park for the center of our city, from Pier 42 on the Lower East Side to Brooklyn Bridge Park and beyond.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“I also want to thank Congresswoman Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Adams, Manhattan Borough President Brewer, Assemblymembers Kavanagh, Millman (ret.), Silver, and Simon, and Councilmembers Chin, Lander, Levin, and Mendez for joining me in sending the letter last October to EDC calling for expanded ferry service at Pier 6 on Atlantic Ave. and Grand Street.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; background-color: #ffffff;">The elected officials’ letter from last October to the EDC is below.</span></p>
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<a href="/senator/daniel-l-squadron">Daniel L. Squadron</a> </div>
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<div class="filefield-file clear-block"><img class="filefield-icon field-icon-application-pdf" alt="application/pdf icon" src="http://www.nysenate.gov/sites/all/modules/contrib/filefield/icons/application-pdf.png" /><a href="http://www.nysenate.gov/files/pdfs/ERF Letter 10.22.14 (1) (1).pdf" type="application/pdf" length="835963" target="_blank" title="ERF Letter 10.22.14 (1) (1).pdf">Electeds Letter to EDC on Ferry Service</a></div> </div>
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New York CityTransportationTue, 03 Feb 2015 21:03:54 +0000Eric Mayo257776 at http://www.nysenate.gov2015 WINTER STORM UPDATEhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/2015-winter-storm-update
<p><br /> The National Weather Service has issued a citywide Winter Weather Advisory, which is in effect until Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6 PM. The current forecast calls for 1 to 2 inches of snow.&nbsp;For the latest forecast, go&nbsp;<a href="http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=New+York&amp;state=NY&amp;site=OKX&amp;textField1=40.7198&amp;textField2=-73.993&amp;e=1#.VMaRyivF-jB">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Schools:</strong>&nbsp;Schools are closed today, Tuesday, and all after-school and PSAL activities have been cancelled. Additionally, all Regents exams scheduled for today, Tuesday, &nbsp;will be rescheduled for Thursday. Please visit the&nbsp;<a href="http://schools.nyc.gov/Home/InOurSchoolsToday/2014-2015/Weather+Advisory+12515.htm">DOE's Website</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/home/home.shtml">OEM</a>&nbsp;for real-time updates on school closures/cancellations.</p>
<p><strong>Clearing sidewalks</strong>: After snow stops falling, if you are a property owner, you must clear snow and ice on your sidewalk to create a path for pedestrians. You must also remove snow and ice from sidewalks next to bus stops and hydrants. For more info, go&nbsp;<a href="http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/2489/snow-or-ice-on-sidewalks-report">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Street plowing:</strong>&nbsp;You can track the progress of City plows and when your street was last plowed by going&nbsp;<a href="http://maps.nyc.gov/snow/">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Street closures:&nbsp;</strong><strong><strong>A</strong></strong><strong><strong>ll</strong> NYC streets and all state controlled highways in NYC have been reopened to all vehicular traffic.</strong>&nbsp;However, the lower level of the Manhattan Bridge is currently closed to Manhattan-bound traffic until Wednesday’s morning rush hour. Please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/home/home.shtml">OEM</a>&nbsp;for updates on street closures, and check on Thruway and other state highway closures&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thruway.ny.gov/index.shtml">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Subways, Buses, and Trains</strong>: All subway and bus service has resumed on a limited schedule, operating under a Sunday schedule starting at 12pm today, Tuesday. Metro-North will resume service today, operating on a Sunday schedule on the Hudson &amp; Harlem Lines beginning at approximately 11 AM, and on the New Haven Line starting at 1 PM. Long Island Rail Road is expected to begin operating trains on its electrified branches on a Sunday schedule around 12pm today.&nbsp;Make sure to check the&nbsp;<a href="http://alert.mta.info/">MTA's website</a>&nbsp;for service status updates before using mass transit.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Ferries</strong>: The East River Ferry began operations at 8:30am from Pier 11, today, Tuesday. There will be one boat operating every hour until 10:00am when a second boat will come on, making a frequency of one boat every half an hour. The Staten Island Ferry resumed operations at 7:30am today.&nbsp;For updates on the East River Ferry, go&nbsp;<a href="http://eastriverferry.com/AdvisoryDetails/?aid=405">here</a>. For updates on the Staten Island Ferry, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www1.nyc.gov/site/severeweather/index.page">OEM's Website</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Heat and hot water</strong>: If you lose your heat or hot water, contact your building owner, manager, or superintendent immediately. If the issue is not resolved, contact 311. For NYCHA residents who lose heat or hot water, call NYCHA’s Call-In Center at (718) 707-7771.</p>
<p><strong>Power outages</strong>: You can report power outages on&nbsp;<a href="https://apps1.coned.com/cemyaccount/CSOL/ReportOutage.aspx?lang=eng">Con Ed’s website</a>&nbsp;or by calling 1-800-75-CONED. You can also report power outages to 311.</p>
<p><strong>Parking</strong>: Alternate Side Parking is suspended today, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but parking meters will remain in effect.</p>
<p><strong>Sanitation</strong>: Garbage and recycling pick-up has been cancelled for today, Tuesday, and Wednesday.</p>
<p><strong>Parks</strong>: Parks remain closed as of 10am today, Tuesday. The Parks Department advises against going into a park during and immediately after the storm because of the possibility of downed trees and tree limbs.</p>
<p><strong>Be informed</strong>: Sign up for&nbsp;<a href="https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/">Notify NYC</a>, the City's free emergency notification system, to receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about severe weather events and other emergencies.</p>
<p><strong>Be prepared</strong>: the NYC Office of Emergency Management has compiled important information on how to prepare for severe winter weather, available&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/hazards/winter.shtml">here</a>.</p>
<p>Please make sure to check in on elderly and other neighbors who might need a hand. Also, if you have problems with unplowed streets, downed power wires or tree limbs, or other unsafe conditions, you can report them via 311. And remember, only contact 311 for non-emergencies and use 911 for true emergencies.</p>
<p>You can also always contact my office in addition, for non-emergencies, by calling 212-298-5565 or sending an email to <a href="mailto:squadron@nysenate.gov">squadron@nysenate.gov</a>.</p>
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Constituents CornerMon, 26 Jan 2015 19:25:52 +0000Eric Mayo256446 at http://www.nysenate.govTESTIMONY OF STATE SENATOR DANIEL SQUADRON REGARDING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN AMENDMENT AND REBUILD BY DESIGNhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/testimony-state-senator-daniel-squadron-regarding-us-department-housing-and-urban-deve
<p>Below and attached is Senator Squadron's testimony regarding the HUD action plan amendment and Rebuild by Design.</p>
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<p>My name is Daniel Squadron and I represent the 26th District in the New York State Senate. My district includes the Manhattan neighborhoods of TriBeCa, Battery Park City, the Lower East Side, Chinatown, the Financial District, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, SoHo and the East Village and the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Vinegar Hill, DUMBO, Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens.</p>
<p>Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on the HUD Action Plan amendment.</p>
<p>Like other parts of the city, my Senate district was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012. Thousands of my constituents lost essential services like heat, water, and electricity, and other basic services like transportation and telecommunication. My office, like other elected offices and neighborhood organizations around the city, engaged in a variety of outreach efforts to help residents and businesses both prepare for the storm and then to recover from the damage and disruption it caused. From this experience, it was evident that better long-term planning was needed to mitigate the impacts of future disasters.</p>
<p>On the Lower East Side, in particular, the disruption of services impacted residents living in subsidized and public housing, many of whom are non-English speakers or seniors.</p>
<p>The East Side Coastal Resiliency proposal in the Action Plan amendment embodies the types of steps that should be taken to improve disaster preparedness and neighborhood resiliency, and I am proud to have supported the project, along with my elected colleagues and various community organizations. East Side Coastal Resiliency provides the opportunity to not only bolster the Lower East Side's resiliency against future storms, but also increase the neighborhood's access to green space by coordinating efforts with the redevelopment of Pier 42, located on the East River just east of Montgomery Street, into a world-class park.</p>
<p>After listening to the community’s needs, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and I secured $16 million for the redevelopment of Pier 42 into a park from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. Additionally, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer has allocated $250,000 for the construction of a park at Pier 42. The Lower East Side community has long advocated for the redevelopment of Pier 42 into a park, and Community Board 3 has listed the redevelopment of the pier into a park as the district’s number one capital priority for many years, including in the upcoming fiscal year.</p>
<p>A section of Pier 42 is now open for interim use, after community groups and I advocated for this opportunity. Several community organizations now conduct summer programming on the pier. This has galvanized even further community support for Pier 42 – evident in the thousands of visitors coming to the pier with their families since its opening two summers ago. We are thankful for the support from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation on these efforts.</p>
<p>Now, due to great community advocacy, and support from Senator Schumer, and my other elected colleagues, the east side waterfront has received $335 million for the development of the East Side Coastal Resiliency project – a project aiming to protect the Lower East Side from storms, while connecting the community to recreational spaces.</p>
<p>Coordination of these two projects is an opportunity to make the Lower East Side simultaneously more resilient, while advancing the world-class waterfront park at Pier 42 that Lower East Side residents and Community Board 3 have long advocated. The plans for Pier 42 propose several topographic elevations and other measures linked to the resiliency vision put forth by the East Side Coastal Resiliency project. I encourage the City to work with residents, stakeholders, and Community Boards 3 and 6 to find ways to further synchronize these two projects so as to maximize resources and impact.</p>
<p>Without proper coordination, funding for the East Side Coastal Resiliency project may be a missed opportunity for Pier 42 and the Lower East Side. I look forward to working with the Administration, the Parks Department, the community, Community Boards 3 and 6, and my colleagues in government in order to achieve a more resilient Lower East Side while advancing the momentum towards a sustainable and world class green space at Pier 42.</p>
<p>Additionally, I remain committed to working with the community, my colleagues, and the Administration towards securing further resiliency funding for the rest of Lower Manhattan, south of Montgomery Street.</p>
<p>The Administration also recently announced an end to the Game Changers program and Business Resiliency Investment Program, reallocating millions of dollars that had been targeted to Lower Manhattan.</p>
<p>Community Board 1 faced disastrous flooding which led to two fatalities among other severe consequences, as well as significant long-term impacts, particularly at the South Street Seaport. Our small businesses are still vulnerable and still need the assistance these important programs could have provided. I am concerned about the loss of these two programs and the consequences that Lower Manhattan may face as a result. I remain committed to working with our community boards, Downtown Alliance, my local colleagues, and the Administration to restore what Lower Manhattan had been counting on.</p>
<p>Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments.</p>
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New York CityFri, 16 Jan 2015 00:28:47 +0000Eric Mayo255391 at http://www.nysenate.govSQUADRON HONORS RUSS & DAUGHTERS WITH SENATE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING 100TH ANNIVERSARYhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/squadron-honors-russ-daughters-senate-resolution-celebrating-100th-anniversary
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">Squadron:</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">&nbsp;</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">&nbsp;Community Institution; Anchor In A Changing Neighborhood; Delicious</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">MANHATTAN –&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">On Wednesday, January 7, State Senator Daniel Squadron presented his Senate resolution celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Russ &amp; Daughters to Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper, fourth generation members of the Russ family and current proprietors of Russ &amp; Daughters and Russ &amp; Daughters Cafe. Senator Squadron’s resolution unanimously passed the New York State Senate on June 20, 2014.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Russ &amp; Daughters was founded by Joel Russ, first with a herring barrel on Orchard Street, and later a pushcart, and then in 1914 as J Russ International Appetizers, and in 1933, was renamed to “Russ and Daughters” after Joel made his three daughters partners in the business. It has continued to be a community institution for the last 100 years, being an anchor in a changing neighborhood and honoring the spirit of the Lower East Side’s Yiddish tradition</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“For 100 years, Russ and Daughters has been a focal point of the Lower East Side, providing nosh after great nosh since 1914,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “Whether enjoying my favorite fish and bagel creation or any of its great comfort food, there’s just no place like Russ &amp; Daughters. I’m so happy to join Niki Russ Federman, Josh Russ Tupper, and the entire staff of Russ &amp; Daughters to celebrate its 100th Anniversary."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; background-color: white;">“We are very proud and pleased to be an important part of people's connection to their past and to maintain traditions in a landscape where many traditions are being forgotten,” said Josh Russ Tupper.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; background-color: white;">“Russ &amp; Daughters has managed not only to stay in business for 100 years and under the stewardship of one family, but over time it has become an icon of our city and anchor for countless New Yorkers,” said Niki Russ Federman. “We are humbled to be recognized for this achievement by Senator Squadron, a tireless champion of the Lower East Side, small business, and important New York issues. We are proud to receive this honor alongside our entire staff, many of whom have been a part of Russ &amp; Daughters for 20, 30, even 40 years of our 100 year history. We now look forward to the next 100 years.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Russ &amp; Daughters and the Russ &amp; Daughters Cafe have received praise in countless national and internation publications, was recently named #2 on Pete Wells’s New York Times list of “The 10 Best New Restaurants of 2014,” and has been featured in the PBS&nbsp; documentaries, "The&nbsp; Jews&nbsp; of&nbsp; New&nbsp; York"&nbsp;and “The Sturgeon Queens”highlighting&nbsp; the contributions of multiplegenerations of the Russ family during the past century.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; background-color: white;">Photo: Courtesy to Russ &amp; Daughters&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; background-color: white;">The official resolution can be found <a href="http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/J6132-2013" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;</span></p>
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Constituents CornerNew York CityThu, 08 Jan 2015 15:09:16 +0000Eric Mayo254411 at http://www.nysenate.govSPEAKER SILVER, SENATOR SQUADRON CELEBRATE NEW LAW PUSHING LUNAR NEW YEAR AS SCHOOL HOLIDAYhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/speaker-silver-senator-squadron-celebrate-new-law-pushing-lunar-new-year-school-holida
<p>NEW YORK – Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Daniel Squadron, elected officials from around the city, and community leaders celebrated a new law that will require the city to consider closing schools on Lunar New Year. The legislation (A.7756 Kim/Silver/S.6688 Golden/Squadron) was signed into law Wednesday by Governor Cuomo.</p>
<p>Schools in neighborhoods throughout the city with high populations of Asian American students, such as Chinatown in Manhattan and Flushing in Queens, annually see large numbers of absences on Lunar New Year. At P.S. 124, on Division Street in Manhattan, school officials reported absentee rates of up to 60 percent last Lunar New Year holiday. The 2015 Lunar New Year - the Year of the Sheep – falls on a day, Feb. 19, when schools are already scheduled to be closed for winter recess.</p>
<p>“Lunar New Year is a day of great celebration and a time for families to be together, especially here in our Chinatown community. With this new law, we urge the city to ensure that schools are allowed to close so that parents do not have to choose between celebrating their cultural heritage and their children’s learning time. Students, who want to be diligent and have good records, should not have to be marked absent on such an important occasion,” said <strong>Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver</strong>.</p>
<p>“This Lunar New Year, families across the city can celebrate their most important day of the year without worrying about their kids being marked absent from school – but we can't depend on luck of the calendar,” <strong>Senator Daniel Squadron</strong> said. “Now that our bill to push Lunar New Year has become law, we look forward to working with the city so parents don't have to make that choice in future years. I thank Speaker Silver, Assemblymembers Kim and Rozic, Congressmember Meng, Senators Golden and Stavisky, and Councilmember Chin for their work, and Governor Cuomo for this becoming law.”</p>
<p>“I am thrilled that Governor Cuomo signed this legislation into law,” said <strong>Assemblymember Ron Kim</strong>. As the main sponsor, I collaborated with so many of my colleagues and received tremendous support from Speaker Sheldon Silver to get us this one step closer in embracing and celebrating cultural holidays in New York City. This is about making sure that all Americans, regardless of where we come from, are institutionally recognized as first-class citizens. Our strength as a democratic society lies in our ability to appreciate diversity and grow together by learning from each other.”</p>
<p>“I was pleased to sponsor this bill, and am glad to see it signed into law. New York is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, and today we recognize that Lunar New Year, which is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in all of Asia, and by millions of Asian-Americans, should be a holiday,” <strong>Senator Martin Golden</strong> said. “When 60% of a school population is celebrating the Lunar New Year, there is no justification for keeping the school open, and today we codify that thinking into law. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly for joining me in support of this measure, and I want to thank the Governor for signing it into law.”</p>
<p>“On behalf of the thousands of Asian American families in my district, I extend my gratitude to Speaker Silver and Senator Squadron for their leadership on this, and to Governor Cuomo for recognizing the deeply rooted importance of the Lunar New Year holiday within our Asian American communities,” <strong>Council Member Margaret Chin</strong> said. “I am proud to have joined my State-level colleagues in strongly advocating for this legislation for many years, and I am so pleased to see it signed into law. I look forward to working with the city’s Department of Education to make sure that our public schools are in fact closed on Lunar New Year from now on.”</p>
<p>“For many New Yorkers, the Lunar New Year is an important holiday giving families time to celebrate together,” said <strong>Congressmember Nydia M. Velázquez</strong>.</p>
<p>"I commend the State Legislature for moving forward with legislation that would permit schools to close for Lunar New Year," said New York City <strong>Public Advocate Letitia James</strong>. "Lunar New Year is celebrated by thousands of New Yorkers, and we must not penalize children and families for these important cultural observances."</p>
<p>Approximately one in six New York City public school students is Asian American. Currently, students who celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday receive an “excused” absence, meaning they miss a full day of classes and have the absence marked on their record. This legislation would require that the city Department of Education (DOE) consider closing schools if a holiday is likely to result in “a considerable proportion” of students being absent.</p>
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New York CityThu, 18 Dec 2014 19:28:15 +0000Eric Mayo253111 at http://www.nysenate.govSIMON, SQUADRON, STRINGER ANNOUNCE BILL FOR GREATER COMMUNITY VOICE AND THOROUGH HEALTH CARE ASSESSMENT IN PROPOSED HOSPITAL CLOSUREShttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/simon-squadron-stringer-announce-bill-greater-community-voice-and-thorough-health-care
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><strong></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Simon-Squadron Bill Based on Longstanding Stringer Proposal</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">BROOKLYN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today,&nbsp;elected officials, patients, community members, and healthcare workers&nbsp;&nbsp;announced&nbsp;the Local Input in Community Healthcare (LICH) Act, which would establish a clear, transparent, and community-oriented process when hospitals are threatened.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Announcing the legislation were: New&nbsp;York City&nbsp;Comptroller Scott&nbsp;M.&nbsp;Stringer; State Senator Daniel Squadron;&nbsp;Assemblymember-elect Jo Anne Simon; Congressmember Nydia Velazquez; Public Advocate Letitia James; Borough President Eric Adams; Councilmember Carlos Menchaca; representatives&nbsp;from&nbsp;1199SEIU&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">and NYSNA; LICH patients and&nbsp;community members.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The LICH Act would</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;allow the Commissioner of the State Department of Health (DOH) to only approve a hospital closure application if the needs of the community and impacted stakeholders, including access to emergency medical care, can be adequately met. And, under the proposal, the Commissioner would not be allowed to close a hospital without a significant and thorough community input process dictated by a statutorily imposed timeline.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The proposed closure of LICH ended up in court for nearly two years, during which the judge said that the current regulation governing hospital closures is “unconstitutionally vague.” The court proceeding made clear that there was no process for determining the healthcare impact of the hospital’s closure on the community or Brooklyn. In addition, there was no role for community input or transparency.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Health care is a fundamental human right and all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, comprehensive services in their neighborhoods," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Comptroller Scott Stringer</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “Thank you to Senator Squadron and Assemblywoman-elect Simon for introducing legislation that will ensure a community is not shut out of the process when its essential health care services are threatened."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"This bill would ensure that there's never another situation like LICH," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>State Senator Daniel Squadron</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. "Today, there is no confidence for communities that medical needs are taken care of when a hospital closure is threatened. This bill would ensure that a community's healthcare needs and the viability of the institution are core questions when hospitals are threatened. I thank Assemblymember-elect Simon, Comptroller Stringer, 1199, NYSNA, my colleagues, and especially the community, for working for our neighborhood hospitals."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Today's healthcare system faces competing demands," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Assemblymember-elect Jo Anne Simon</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. "We need this law to ensure that when it comes to providing vital healthcare services the community's voice is heard and their needs are addressed. “I thank Senator Squadron for working with me on this legislation and Comptroller Stringer for his early leadership on this issue, as well as Congresswoman Velazquez and my other colleagues in government and labor for their support of this bill."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“We must all work to ensure that any future changes to the availability of health services only occur after the community’s concerns are taken into account," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Congressmember Nydia M. Velazquez.</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I commend State Senator Squadron and Assembly Member-elect Simon for taking this bold stand for further transparency and a more participatory process regarding hospital closures," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Public Advocate Letitia James</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. "This reform will ensure further stakeholder input and a fair timeline for restructuring-- one that serves the needs of the larger community.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Hospitals are critical institutions, literally and figuratively protecting the heartbeat of the communities it serves," said</span><strong>Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. "My administration is committed to ensuring every Brooklynite has access to quality health care and services. Should there ever be a necessity to close one of these facilities, it should only take place when there has been significant community input and a holistic consideration of the impact on delivering health care to local residents. I thank City Comptroller Stringer, State Senator Squadron and Assembly Member-elect Simon for helping to advance this important dialogue in Albany."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"A community process--like the one outlined in this legislation--helps ensure&nbsp;that relevant stakeholders are engaged in assessing the outstanding needs of local residents at the point of potential hospital closings," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Councilmember Carlos Menchaca</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;"The role of hospitals in our communities cannot be underscored enough. This common sense legislation can serve as a buffer for communities to have an opportunity to organize and advocate for the maintenance of their critically important healthcare facilities."</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“As healthcare workers, we know that being able to get the medical help you need in an emergency is a matter of life and death,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Manuel Leon, Acting Vice President‎, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “And the residents of this community know all too well how frightening and chaotic it can be when a hospital closing is announced, as do residents in other communities throughout this city.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This bill will provide a structure for community input before – not after, as is required by current law – a hospital closure is approved, and ensure that the Department of Health takes community needs into account.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Our union will work together with our elected officials and community partners to see that it is enacted.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"NYSNA supports this legislation as an important first step in protecting the public's access to critical healthcare services upon which communities rely,”</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>a NYSNA spokesperson</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “The current structure of regulations governing hospital closures or elimination of healthcare services gives complete discretion to the boards and executives of the hospital and the DOH. Local communities and their elected representatives have no input.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This bill will change that dynamic as it both requires the DOH to consider the impact of closures of hospitals and reductions in services on local communities and gives the public a say in this process."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"The policy of willy-nilly hospital closings will be relegated to the history books once our elected officials in Albany enact this bill,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Jim Walden</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “A grateful community thanks Senator Squadron, AM-Elect Simon and Comptroller Stringer for leading the charge for a better way."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“In Brooklyn there has long been a healthcare void compounded by affordability, limited access, and quality of care. Any decision regarding hospital closures should first consider these issues, especially in already underserved areas. What is in the best interest of the community and quality of available healthcare within it should be the deciding factor for all proposed hospital closures,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>State Senator Martin Malavé Dilan</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"The wave of hospital closures across the state have left communities without the healthcare that they need,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>State Senator Brad Hoylman</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “I thank Senator Squadron and Assembly Member-Elect Simon for this important proposal which will help ensure that the public has a voice in decisions to close healthcare facilities."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I wholeheartedly support the Squadron-Simon proposal to fundamentally reform the hospital closure process,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>State Senator Bill Perkins</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “Decisions that impact the healthcare and human rights of whole communities must not be made in haste behind bureaucratic barriers.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This thoughtful proposal will transform the hospital closure procedure to empower the affected community and provide key stakeholders a meaningful voice throughout the whole process—while ensuring that the healthcare needs of the entire community are protected.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">From Brooklyn to Harlem and beyond, these are essential safeguards that our constituents deserve.”</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I’m very pleased that our State representatives are taking action to reform the closure process for hospitals in New York,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Councilmember Brad Lander</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “Together, over many months, we urged SUNY and the State to agree to an open and transparent process at LICH, one which meaningfully engaged the community and ensured that their needs were adequately addressed. I am happy that this legislation would&nbsp;compel the State to be in dialogue with the communities directly impacted by their decision-making in the future."</span><span style="font-size: 13px; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"We recently saw a travesty unfold at LICH in which a hospital that a community depended on was taken from them without their voices even being heard," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Councilmember Stephen Levin</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. "I'm proud to support this legislation and thank Senator Squadron and Assemblymember-elect Simon for introducing it."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Current law only requires a community forum to be held after a hospital has already been closed&nbsp;and&nbsp;does not require the Commissioner to consider the health&nbsp;care needs of the community, including emergency medical care or transitional care, as part of&nbsp;the Commissioner's&nbsp;decision to approve a hospital closure. The proposed legislation is based on a bill carried by then-Assemblymember&nbsp;Stringer that aimed to establish a community-oriented process for siting&nbsp;state facilities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The LICH ACT would, following the application for closure of a general hospital, require the Commissioner of the State Department of Health to:</span></p>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; background-color: #ffffff;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">&nbsp;</span>Explain in a report within 30 days of an application for closure:</span>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The anticipated impact of closure on the surrounding community’s access to care, including the uninsured and underserved.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What measures DOH and others have taken or plan to take to lessen any negative impacts.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Why the State cannot assume financial responsibility for the hospital or identify an alternate operator.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hold a community forum within six weeks of application, giving community members and local elected officials the chance to raise questions, voice concerns, and offer alternatives.&nbsp;<br /></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Respond to community input by:<br /></span>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Answering, in summary, comments received from community members and local elected officials</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Explaining why significant alternatives were or were not incorporated into a final closure plan.<br /></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Identifying any changes to the plan resulting from community concerns or suggestions.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Only approve the application if needs of the community and impacted stakeholders, including access to emergency medical care, can be adequately met.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Explain options for transitional medical services to impacted communities, including arrangements for continuity of care.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="/senator/daniel-l-squadron">Daniel L. Squadron</a> </div>
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<span class="date-display-single">Tue, 12/16/2014</span> </div>
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HospitalsNew York CityTue, 16 Dec 2014 18:38:11 +0000Eric Mayo252791 at http://www.nysenate.govSQUADRON, DOT COMMISSIONER TROTTENBERG, ELECTED OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR DELANCEY AND PITThttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/squadron-dot-commissioner-trottenberg-elected-officials-community-announce-completion-
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">Squadron: Changes Spurred by Constituent and Community, with Support from CB3 and 7<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Precinct</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><strong></strong><strong>Safety Measures Include New Pedestrian Island, Stop Signs, Crosswalks, And High-Visibility Markings</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong></strong></span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">MANHATTAN – Today, State Senator Squadron and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Councilmember Margaret Chin, CB3 Transportation and Public Safety&nbsp;<a name="14a3f74bb3dca10e__GoBack"></a>Chair Karen Blatt, the 7<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Precinct, and members of the Lower East Side community announced the completion of pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Delancey and Pitt</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;Streets</span></span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: white;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: white;"></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The improvements include a new pedestrian island, new stop signs, new crosswalks, and replacing all pedestrian markings with high-visibility markings and</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-color: white; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">&nbsp;are the result of a process initiated by constituent William Mojica, who reached out to Senator Squadron for help in addressing safety concerns at Delancey and&nbsp;<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Pitt</span>, along with other members of the community.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"These fixes show what can happen when everyday New Yorkers are empowered to change our neighborhoods for the better," said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>State Senator Daniel Squadron.</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"This was a grassroots effort: a constituent reached out to my office about an unsafe situation at Delancey and</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span class="il" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffcc;">Pitt</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">– and closely coordinating with Community Board 3, the 7th Precinct, NYCDOT and my colleagues, we made it better. I thank Commissioner Trottenberg for responding to the needs of the community by putting these changes in place, and I thank the community board, the 7th precinct and, especially, community members, including William Mojica, who spoke up on behalf of everyone who uses this intersection."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“DOT’s work on Delancey Street is a testament to how important community engagement is to Vision Zero and I thank Senator Squadron and the other leaders for bringing to the DOT’s attention the issues at the Delancey/</span><span class="il" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffcc;">Pitt</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">intersection,” said</span><strong>NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I am pleased to announce that at this intersection, we added new stop signs, a pedestrian island, and new crosswalks. We have also re-timed pedestrian crossing signals on Delancey Street to allow for New Yorkers to cross the entire width of Delancey safely. I look forward to continuing to work with local communities to make all of New York City’s streets safer.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“These improvements represent a great step forward in the City’s commitment to street safety, and I look forward to seeing the benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike,”&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">said</span><strong>&nbsp;Council Member Margaret Chin.</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;“I thank Senator Squadron for his leadership, as well as DOT Commissioner Trottenberg and our local community members who worked so hard to help move this process forward. I will continue to work with my elected colleagues and the City to bring further street safety improvements to Lower Manhattan.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“When we come together and speak or show our support as a collective community to address a common concern it's amazing what can happen,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Lower East Side resident William Mojica</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I could not have imagined that safety improvements would be in place so quickly at</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span class="il" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffcc;">Pitt</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">and Delancey Streets and it is now safer for pedestrians to cross this intersection. I am happy to have worked with Senator Squadron’s office, Community Board 3 and their Transportation Committee and the 7th Precinct regarding this concern. I am very thankful to our elected officials, Community Board 3, the 7th Precinct and the New York City Department of Transportation for working together to bring about this traffic safety improvement to our community. And I can't forget how the community came together to help me present this concern. Community Organizations included ALBOR, Our Lady Of Sorrows, Grand Street Settlement, Masaryk Towers Cooperators' Association advocates, and the local schools PS 20, PS 110, PS140, PS 142, and Manhattan Charter School. All of their support and encouragement helped me present our concern.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“With these important safety improvements, we are better protecting pedestrians on a street that has seen more than its share of tragic accidents,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “I welcome these changes and I want to thank Senator Squadron, Commissioner Trottenberg and the de Blasio administration for their dedication to making our streets and sidewalks safer.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The intersection at Delancey and</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span class="il" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffcc;">Pitt</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">is constantly in use,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Congressmember Carolyn Maloney</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “Cyclists, school children, church and synagogue attendees, and residents cross in large numbers daily. Thanks to the dedication of local resident William Mojica, State Senator Squadron, and Community Board 3, the Department of Transportation has made significant changes to improve safety at the intersection. With new stop signs, a pedestrian island and upgraded signage, pedestrians and bikers will now have increased protection from traffic. The safety of our fellow New Yorkers is imperative, and I am thrilled that the community and the de Blasio Administration have worked so well together to bring about these much-needed improvements.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“By making this high traffic area safer for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists alike, these improvements will reduce the danger of accidents, potentially saving lives,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Congressmember Nydia Velazquez</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp; “I’m pleased the community’s concerns were taken into account during this process and that these changes have now been completed.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"We must protect all pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in New York City,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The intersection of Delancey and</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span class="il" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffcc;">Pitt</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">is a perfect example where the community came together to make its residents safer with the support of local schools, synagogues, and the Community Board. I want to thank DOT for responding to Community Board 3’s concerns and look forward to working with the community and my elected official colleagues on improving safety for all residents.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"I want to thank the Department of Transportation (DOT) for responding to residents, community members and elected officials on our call for safety improvements on Delancey and</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span class="il" style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffcc;">Pitt</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Councilmember Rosie Mendez</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “DOT also instituted changes at the corner of Delancey and Clinton after tragic death of 12 year old Dashane Santana. This is a great step in initiating additional traffic calming measures along Delancey Street to be make our streets safer.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The safety improvement plan at Delancey is an example of how well&nbsp;community-based planning works,” said</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><strong>Gigi Li, Chair of Community Board 3</strong><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. “The need for safety improvements came from the community – a number of seniors went to their local precinct, the 7th precinct, for help, and the precinct reached out to the community board – and a resident went to Senator Squadron’s office for help and he worked with the Department of Transportation to present a plan to the community board.&nbsp; The plan was heard at the community board for more local input from the community and for a vote to support the plan—and today we have a much safer intersection.&nbsp; Community Board 3 is very appreciative of this community partnership—the residents, Senator Squadron, the 7th Precinct, and the Department of Transportation,&nbsp;and thanks all who have voiced concerns and helped design and implement this plan so quickly.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: white;">After receiving a letter from Senator Squadron and his colleagues calling attention to Mr. Mojica's concerns, DOT agreed to conduct a study to identify traffic calming measures. The DOT study led to safety recommendations for the intersection that were later approved by Community Board 3 and led to the current improvements.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: white;">Photo above. Credit: NYCDOT. From left: Karen Blatt, CB3 Transportation and Public Safety Chair; William Mojica, LES resident; NYCDOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg; State Senator Daniel Squadron; Councilmember Margaret Chin; Margarita Rosa, Grand Street Settlement Executive Director .</span></p>
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<a href="/senator/daniel-l-squadron">Daniel L. Squadron</a> </div>
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<span class="date-display-single">Fri, 12/12/2014</span> </div>
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Constituents CornerNew York CityFri, 12 Dec 2014 21:23:26 +0000Eric Mayo252596 at http://www.nysenate.gov